Glossary of Communication Disorder Terms - V

V

Velocardiofacial syndrome

inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate (opening in the roof of the mouth), heart defects, characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems.

Vertigo

illusion of movement; a sensation as if the external world were revolving around an individual (objective vertigo) or as if the individual were revolving in space (subjective vertigo).

Vestibular Neuronitis

infection at the vestibular nerve.

Vestibular system

system in the body that is responsible for maintaining balance, posture, and the body's orientation in space. This system also regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.

Vestibule

bony cavity of the inner ear.

Vibrotactile aids

mechanical instruments that help individuals who are deaf to detect and interpret sound through the sense of touch.

Vocal cord paralysis

inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move because of damage to the brain or nerves.

Vocal cords (Vocal folds)

muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall. The folds are enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.

Vocal folds

see Vocal cords.

Vocal tremor

trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx, resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice.

Voice

sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.

Voice disorders

group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box).